Marvel announces Ghost Rider and Helstrom live-action TV shows are in development for Hulu, with both series expected to launch sometime in 2020. Ever since Marvel TV kicked off their side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on ABC in 2013, the television side of the franchise has continued to grow. As of now S.H.I.E.L.D. is the only series remaining on ABC - with Agent Carter cancelled after two seasons and Inhumans after one - and Netflix has cancelled all of its Marvel TV series: Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Punisher and The Defenders. However, there are plenty more platforms on which Marvel TV has thrived.
Currently, Marvel TV has an ongoing live-action series at Hulu with Runaways, which was renewed for season 3 earlier this year. Further, Marvel has a host of animated shows in the works at Hulu, including a Howard the Duck series among others. But beyond Hulu, Marvel TV also has Cloak and Dagger on Freeform, a cable network owned by Marvel’s parent company Disney. The MCU is also set to expand to limited series on Disney+, though those will be produced by Marvel Studios, rather than Marvel TV and have much more connectivity to the MCU. Still, Marvel TV isn’t slowing down, with two new live-action projects set at Hulu.
At their Upfront presentation, Hulu announced that Marvel TV and ABC Signature Studios will develop Ghost Rider and Helstrom live-action TV shows for Hulu, with both series expected to premiere sometime in 2020. Of course, Robbie Reyes aka. Ghost Rider first debuted in the MCU on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 4, as played by Gabriel Luna.
UPDATE: Marvel confirmed Luna will star in the Ghost Rider TV show. The actor teased his return to the role on Twitter last night. See Luna’s tweet below.
Although no casting details have been revealed regarding either series, Marvel TV head Jeph Loeb will serve as executive producer on both. Ghost Rider will follow Robbie Reyes as he struggles to control the power within after being supernaturally bonded with a demon, though he uses it to seek vengeance for the innocent. Ingrid Escajeda (Sneaky Pete, Justified) will serve as showrunner for Ghost Rider, with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.‘s Paul Zbyszewski producing. Helstrom (spelled Hellstrom in the comics), meanwhile, will follow siblings Daimon and Ana Helstrom, the children of a mysterious serial killer, who track down the worst of humanity. Zbyszewski will produce and serve as showrunner for Helstrom.
Both live-action series offer something new, and more supernatural to the Marvel TV catalogue. When Ghost Rider appeared on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., he brought magic and mysticism with him, and fit in surprisingly well with the more science-leaning show. Further, Luna’s portrayal of Robbie Reyes quickly won over fans, who began asking for a Ghost Rider TV show. Although Luna and Marvel both teased a possible Ghost Rider TV show at the time, it seems it’s finally coming together at Hulu. As for Helstrom, it’s a lesser known property and doesn’t have a foothold in the MCU already, but could no doubt find an audience at Hulu.
With Disney and Marvel setting up their more adult fare at Hulu, with family-friendly content expected to be reserved for Disney+, Ghost Rider and Helstrom are the first post-Netflix projects for Marvel TV. Fans are no doubt curious to see if they’ll maintain the quality that won over viewers of Netflix’s Marvel projects. We’ll know more about Ghost Rider and Helstrom in the coming months ahead of their 2020 premieres.
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Source: Hulu, Gabriel Luna/Twitter
